Any growth requires a temporary loss of security.-Madeline Hunter
I’m on spring break and the most productive thing I plan to do today, besides write this post, is to drink my coffee. Don’t judge…this coffee isn’t going to drink itself.
I’ve been crazy busy the last few weeks and this week off will provide some much needed rest. I spoke at an education conference in NC, had an Apple site visit and am preparing to speak to some future educators later this week. Oh, and I was teaching too. Busy, but a good kind of busy.
As I prepare to speak to these future teachers later in the week, I realize they are preparing to enter into student teaching soon. They will be going into schools with an excitement about teaching and learning. In many cases, they will have an arsenal of technological tools, including iPads, at the ready. What a dynamic time to be entering the education field.
I started thinking about what happens when these young people enter a classroom with a supervising teacher who is less than enthusiastic about the use of iPads…or any technology for that matter. This can be a tenuous situation. How do you tackle a situation where you are expected to be the “teacher” in the classroom but you aren’t really in charge? How does the veteran teacher step into a role as mentor to this young educator when the younger person has far more technological background?
I was approached by a veteran educator after my presentation last week in NC. She was excited by the possibilities of iPads from my presentation, but was very anxious about the actual implementation. The big picture looks heavenly, but the devil is in the details.
Whether you are a student intern treading softly in a classroom that isn’t your own, or a veteran teacher feeling like an alien in a world that has previously always felt comfortable, change and growth always require some discomfort. Baby steps and true reflective practice will ease the transition. For veteran teachers, you are still necessary and relevant…more so now than ever. You have invaluable experience and wisdom. By implementing iPads along with your wisdom and experience, your teaching will be transformed. For the upcoming educators and new teachers, you are still necessary and relevant…more so now than ever. Your cutting edge technology skills will serve as role models for your students and fellow colleagues. You will be leading a technological revolution in your schools.
So, with all of our collective bravery, let’s go forth and be the change we seek. Y’all go on ahead…I will catch up after I finish my coffee.
Today, we will do exciting new things. Let’s get to it!
iTeach with iPads 
I love your blog and read each post. Most of the time I do not comment because I am not a teacher. Well, not a teacher in a classroom. I guess you could say that I do teach people how to use technology on a daily basis. You said something that caught my attention. “I started thinking about what happens when these young people enter a classroom with a supervising teacher who is less than enthusiastic about the use of iPads…or any technology for that matter.”
My wife is in her early 50’s, has two Masters Degrees and is certified to teach Special Education, ED, cross cat etc. She has been on numerous interviews and seems to be in a fight to get that teaching job. She has been a substitute teacher for 13+ years and has several letters of recommendation. She is very computer literate and knows how to use technology. I am starting to think that her age is coming into play and that is why she is not getting a job. When she did her student teaching in Summerville at Beach Hill Elementary the “young” teacher actually told my wife that she is “too old” to be a teacher and will never get a job. She actually encouraged her to find another career field. I can’t tell you how upset that made me knowing how hard my wife has been fighting to realize her dream.
I believe that God can open a door for her and she will realize her dream. I was interested in your thoughts as well.
James,
Thanks for your comment. Feel free to comment anytime. It isn’t just for teachers. As for Katy,
I’m sorry to hear about her difficulty in finding a job. I’m also sorry she was told she was too old by her cooperating teacher. Her life wisdom and experience make her valuable. The Innovation Zone schools in CCSD are requiring all of their staff to re-apply. This may be an excellent opportunity for Katy. These schools need teachers who WANT to be in the classroom.
I wish her well.
Katy just told me she has applied…. Berkeley County has a ton of openings for next school year and she has applied to those as well. I am wondering if she would be able to teach in a general ED classroom as well or does she have to teach ED only…. Do you know?
Is she regular Ed certified or only Spec. Ed?
Special Ed
I may be mistaken, but I think she has to be “highly qualified” in a certificate area in order to teach it. For example, I am Early Childhood certified which means I am highly qualified to teach grades K-2. If she is only certified in Spec Ed, then that is where she is highly qualified. She would have to be certified in a general ed certification area in order to be highly qualified.
Katy read what you wrote and agreed. Hopefully she can connect with one of the openings for next year.